The Old Revolution - Leonard Cohen
View chords used in this chart
E A E B E A
I finally broke into the prison, I found my place in the chain.
E A A7 E
Even damnation is poisoned with rainbows,
E7 A
all the brave young men they're waiting now to see a signal
F#m B B7
which some killer will be lighting for pay.
chorus:
A E A
Into this furnace I ask you now to venture,
E B A E
you whom I cannot betray.
additional lyrics:
I fought in the old revolution on the side of the ghost and the King.
Of course I was very young and I thought that we were winning;
I can't pretend I still feel very much like singing
as they carry the bodies away.
chorus
Lately you've started to stutter as though you had nothing to say.
To all of my architects let me be traitor.
Now let me say I myself gave the order
to sleep and to search and to destroy.
chorus
Yes, you who are broken by power, you who are absent all day,
you who are kings for the sake of your children's story,
the hand of your beggar is burdened down with money,
the hand of your lover is clay.
chorus
# comments and stuff okay. Try tgtchb@chem.tue.nl
# Have fun and take heed, Bo.
How to play The Old Revolution - Leonard Cohen
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is E. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.